Chapter 44: Fishman Island

The Straw Hats and Fairy Tail Pirates were stopped by six sea beasts and there appeared to be five Fishmen riding them.

"Surume..." One of them said. "Why would you let these foolish humans give you orders."

The Kraken back away for a moment and fled away.

"Hey, Surume, we're so close to Fishman Island!" Luffy and Natsu spat.

"Never mind that just hang on!" Lucy and Usopp demanded.

Both ships crashed onto the sand below.

"It's a whole circus of sea monsters!" Usopp exclaimed with his eyes popping out.

"The first pirate group, I assume that you guys are the Straw hat Pirates, am I right?" One of the Fishman asked.

"So what if we are, why don't you tell us who you are first?" Luffy asked looking annoyed.

Before the Fishman could answer that Aquapad's voice rang out. "Hey, Hammond, what are you doing here?"

The Straw Hats and the Fairy Tail heard the Marlin Fishman. "Hammond?"

"Hamo-hamo, look who decided to show up," The Conger Eel Fishman laughed. "Honestly, I thought you were dead by the time, but I heard that Megalo mentioned to the three Neptune brothers that a Fishman was on a human ship, a Marline Fishman."

"Does he mean that big shark we rescue from Surume?" Wendy asked.

"It seems so, Megalo must've returned to his home before us," Carla answered.

"Aquapad, why are you with these lowly humans?" Hammond questioned rudely.

"Forget that, what do you want do you jerk?" Aquapad asked looking mad.

"As you know, the Straw Hats are the ones that defeated Arlong and his crew, ruining his plans," Hammond reminded.

"Arlong was a jerk!" Aquapad yelled. "He deserved to get his ass kicked!"

"Arlong was the one that showed that humans are nothing but lowly creatures," Hammond said with a creepy smirk.

Tigress didn't like Conger Eel Fishman's attitude. "He doesn't seem nice."

Temukai snorted with air coming out of his nostrils. "Snort... Snort... I think that punk needs to be taught a lesson."

"Take it easy you two," Usagi said putting his arms out in front of the two.

Pango had a different thought. "I take it that this guy doesn't like humans."

Leone agreed as she cracked her knuckles. "I'll be happy to crack that jackass' skull."

Loki and Taurus were still out and they didn't like Hammond's attitude either. "Talk about rude and didn't that jerk learn to be respectful to ladies too."

"Moo! His mean attitude is getting me mad!"

"Come calm down you two," Lucy ordered calmly.

Erza glared. "Those bastards think they can insult us."

"I think it's time we show him some manly Fairy Tail power," Elfman said punching his fist into his other hand's palm.

"Easy big brother," Lisanna said placing her hands on her older brother's arm.

Makarov was angry too, but, he knew that fighting them underwater was risky. "Calm down, if we fight, we'll burst the ship's coating."

"Anyway, I heard that when Hatchen was trouble, you Straw Hat Pirates stood up for him and punched one the Celestial Dragon too," Hammond continued. "Now, I find out that Aquapad is hanging out with a different pirate group."

Saizou was on the sea beast that resembled an elephant. "Let's see what humans are on the ships." He looked through a telescope. "Hmm..." His eyes caught the sight of the human girls. "Talk about tasty meat!"

His other two Fishman companions were there too.

"Oh, look at those knockers..." Taron smirked pervertedly.

"Talk about sexy..." Jester added.

Lucy heard that and was already creeped out. "Are those Fishman hitting on us girls?"

"That's creepy!" Levy shivered.

"Talk about pigs," Lisanna said in disgust.

"Oh no, Saizou, Taron, Jester, why are they here?" Aquapad thought.

"Quiet you, perverts, we're here for the Straw Hat Pirates, since they got another pirate group with them, it's obvious that they're our enemies perhaps," Hammond barked.

"What about those Minks?" Izou asked drinking sake.

"You four Minks, are you, friends, with these humans?" Hammond asked.

Usagi decided to give his answer. "Yes, we are, some of these humans saved our lives from another pirate group, we owe them much."

Tigress stepped forward. "He's right, without them, we would've been kept prisoners to the former pirates we were once part of!"

Temukai snored and glared at the Fishman Pirates. "Snort... That's right, so, if you mess with our friends you mess with us!"

Pango stood tall. "Agreed, you guys don't have to right to insult our human friends!"

Hammond growled. "Does that include the four small kitties?"

"Aye, Natsu and I along with these people are my families!" Happy answered. "A stupid jerk like you would never understand that!"

"Right, I must say, you are being really rude!" Carla lectured.

"Yeah, you got some nerve to insult our friends," Lily said transforming into his battle form. "For the record, we're called Exceeds."

"If you think that our friends are going get beaten by you, then you got another thing coming!" Frosch protested. "Is that right, Frosch?"

"That's right," The frog wearing Exceed replied glaring at the Fishman pirates.

Hammond gritted his teeth."Aquapad, what about you?"

"It's obvious you stupid eel jerk, honestly, I feel like kicking your ass again!" The Marlin Fishman replied with a glare on his face.

That made an anime vein appear on Hammond's head. "Stupid eel jerk, you know I hate it when you call me that!"

"Excuse me..." Izou got the Conger Eel to look at him. "If you're done with your childish argument, we got some busy to take care of."

"Hmph!" Hammond huffed. "Fine, anyway, I'll give you an offer, if you all join our crew then we'll let you live, if not, we'll have no choice be to sink your ships right here and now."

"What'd you say?" Luffy questioned about getting angry.

Natsu took this a challenge and flames covered his hands. "Sounds like we're going to give this stupid jerk a good butt-kicking, right Happy?"

"Aye, sir!" Happy said sprouting his wings.

Sting glared in the Conger Eel Fishman's direction. "If you think I'm going to let you mess with my friends, then you got another thing coming."

Rogue shared the same feeling. "Anyone that messes with our friends gets a good butt-kicking."

Nami went to talk to Franky about something.

Erza went to talk to Mirajane, who had more details about the Water Fairy.

Each group closed up their sails, Erza and Frank went to their ship's hulls.

Usopp went to check on the cola supply.

Gildarts got some details from Mirajane, went into the ship's engine, which had a huge Lacrima inside it. "Whoa, I get it now." He placed his hand on it and transferred some of his magic.

Izou noticed the work the two pirate groups were doing. "Those humans are busy down there, they might be up to something, don't you think?"

Hammond begged to differ. "Humans can't be that clever, no matter what they do, we can handle it,"

"C'mon, what about those female humans, we were hoping to have little fun with them," Saizou complained.

"That's right, we haven't been able to get our hands on lowly female humans almost two years!" Taron groaned in annoyance.

"Yeah, let us capture some women that we see fit," Jester requested.

Hammond facepalmed. "Ugh... fine, capture what female human you can get, but that's it."

"That's better," Saizou smirked.

"Hmm-mmm..." Taron and Jester said nodding their heads at once.

Hammond turned his attention back to the two pirate ships. "So, Straw Hat and Fairy Tail Pirates, will you join our crew?"

"Yeah right, stu-pid!" Luffy replied making a goofy face.

Natsu smirked and started to stick out his tongue. "Yeah, you can't... make...us... join...you..."

"Nah, Nah, you stupid sea snake!" Happy teased sticking out his tongue too.

Hearing that comment from the blue exceed made Hammond angry, but, he kept his composure. "That's a real shame, nothing but lowly human scum since it's obvious that you four Minks, Aquapad, and the three kitties are siding them with, you shall join them in a watery grave!"

"Ready?" Nami asked.

Usopp refilled as much cola supply as he could. "Franky, it's ready."

Sanji called the Fairy Tail wizards. "Hey, you guys have a plan to get past those bastards?"

"We do, don't worry," Fujika replied.

Hearing the voice of the female Kuja pirate made the cook almost have a relapse until Chopper jumped on him. "Don't do it, Sanji!" He begged.

"Now, sea Lion attack!" Hammond commanded.

The sea lion beast swam towards the two ships with its mouth opened.

"Coupe De Burst! Magic Burst!" Franky and Erza declared at once.

Both ships went off with incredible and evaded the sea lion's attack.

"What the hell, what kind of ships do those humans have!?" Hammond questioned in shock.

"You idiot, our female prey is escaping!" Saizou spatted.

"This is what you get for being so full yourself!" Jester yelled.

Hammond took offense to that.

Both the ship's coating began to shrink.

"Hold on, we're almost there!" Nami stated.

"Yeah, we've come too far to die!" Lucy said.

The two ships went through the bubble, but, their coating was popped.

"Our coating!" Luffy and Natsu yelled.

"This bubble is double structure!" Robin informed. "Normally we would crash but since there's air..."

Both ships dropped down.

"Guys, we're about to hit another bubble!" Franky warned his crew.

"This one looks like it has water!" Erza added.

"Everyone, brace yourselves!" They both said together.

Their ships crashed into the next bubble and inside was water, both were caught in the current.

Luffy, Robin, Chopper, and Brook passed out due to the seawater.

Lisanna transformed into her mermaid form. "I need to help them all, but, how..." She thought.

Aquapad swam up to the white-haired girl. "Damn, at this rate, our friends won't last long."

Just then they saw some shadows coming. "Someone is approaching us?"

Hammond and his comrades were still outside the island.

"We might need to chase after them, I mean we can't let Neptune's army get a hold of them," Izou suggested.

"That's right, not to mention that old geezer doesn't know we're back yet," Saizou added. "But, we missed our chance to get those human girls."

"Forget that, but, I agree, we must chase after those humans, however, we must report this to the boss back at the Fishman District Noah, he would like to know that the human pirate that ruined Arlong's plan is here, not to mention Tartaros would like to know that Fairy Tail is here too," Hammond replied clenching his fist. "Aquapad, we shall fight once again very soon."

Somewhere on Fishman Island.

A strange silhouette was dashing through the town with fast speed.

The creature quickly hid from one building to another. "Howl..." The creature howled like a wolf.

"A big scoop...waiting for me at Mermaid Cove, no doubt!" The creature had a male voice and was practically drooling.

Hours pass.

Natsu, Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, Aquapad, Lisanna, Happy, Sanji, and Temukai were on different beds.

Luffy was the first to open his eyes.

"Did he just move?!"

"He did!"

"He didn't!"

"I think he did?

"So, what if he did?"

Five little mermaids were looking down on Luffy.

Luffy coughed out water, startling the five little mermaids.

"He's awake!"

"Ow, my head..." Natsu said rubbing his head.

"You're awake!" Happy hugged his partner.

The fire dragon slayer chuckled while patting his friend's head. "Hey, Happy,"

"Snort...snort...snort..." Temukai was still snoring though.

"Seriously, he sleeping through this racket!?" Usopp questioned in surprise. "And I thought Zoro was a deep sleeper."

"Luffy-chan, you're awake, and I see you got some new friends," A green-haired mermaid came into the room.

"Camie, long time no see!" Luffy greeted happily. "Oh, about the others, they're part of a different crew, but, I'll introduce."

"This pink-haired guy is Natsu,"

The pinkette boy flinched at that introduction. "My hair is Salmon color!"

"The white-haired girl is Lisa..."

"It's Lisanna!" Happy and Usopp corrected.

The white-haired girl giggled at the boy's pronunciation. "He's just like Natsu..."

"Lastly, here's Tunaside..."

"It's Temukai!" Usopp and Happy corrected the rubber boy again.

Temukai was still snoring. "Seriously!?" Lisanna questioned.

Aquapad got up. "Ow, that was some ride." He then saw Camie. "Oh, Camie, hi there!"

"Yes, it's been a year since you left," Camie said with a big smile. "I already told your friends that you've returned, perhaps you should see them when you get the chance."

The Marlin Fishman nodded. "Right, I miss them and I'll introduce them to the Straw Hats, which reminds..." He looked serious which was unlike him. "Luffy..."

The Straw hat captain looked at the Marline Fishman. "What is it?"

"I need to you tell something, though, I know this out the blue, but, I met your brother Ace before,"

Luffy gasped quietly. "You met my brother?"

Temukai was suddenly getting up. "Snort... Snort... gee, that was some nap." He breathed air out of his nostrils. "What I miss?"

"You're awake, that's good," Chopper said relieved.

"Anyway, Luffy, I met your brother around the time he was making a name for himself and I believe when he had his crew the Spade Pirates," Aquapad continued. "As you probably know to get the New World, he had to go through the seafloor we went through."

"Is that so, did you meet up Ace, somewhere on the island?" Usopp asked.

"It's the opposite, you see back then I would stop other Fishman for causing trouble for the human pirates that managed to get here," Aquapad replied. "In other words, I became like the police or rather island monitor that would around and see if there was any trouble that would start."

Flashback.

3 years ago

Ace and his crew went to eat at the Weston Den on Fishman Island.

Ace was sleeping with his face in his food. "Captain, don't sleep in your food!" One of his crewmates said trying to wake Gold D Roger's son.

"Who is causing this racket!?" Hammond and his men came into the restaurant's door entrance. "Human pirates, you should this is one of the Emperor's territories, but, that doesn't matter, it's your fault that the Great Pirate Era started this crap, including the pirate's blood that runs through your veins!"

Aquapad was watching from the doorway. "Hammond and his thugs are causing crap again."

Ace confronted the Conger Eel Fishman. "Don't rub me with roger's doing, his crimes are his own, not mine."

Hammond got even angrier and took out his Sword. "Filthy pirate, don't turn a blind eye to this era that was created by you humans!"

Ace unleashed his Conquerer's Haki and knocked out Hammond.

"That bastard did something to Hammond!"

"Feed them to the sea monsters!"

The other Spade Pirates confronted the other Fishman.

Just then they were suddenly knocked down by a force. "Man, these jerks still are causing crap these days," Aquapad grumbled as he looked down at the other knocked-out Fishman. "Anyway, sorry about that, these jerks are always trouble for any humans that come here to relax."

Ace tilted his hat. "I see, thanks I guess."

Aquapad offered his hand. "I'm Aquapad, a Marlin Fishman, nice to meet you...um..."

"Portgas D. Ace, I'm the captain of the Spade Pirates,"

"I can show you around if you want," Aquapad said with a smirk.

The other Spade Pirates smiled. "What do you say captain, he seems alright."

Ace grinned. "I say, let's take a tour."

Aquapad got the introduced Ace and his crew to his childhood friends, they became friends and even had a big dinner. Then the next day, Ace along with his crew left for the New World, Aquapad and his friends saw them off and hoped to meet them again someday.

Flashback ends.

Luffy smiled. "So, you and Ace became friends,"

Aquapad chuckled. "That's right, he even offered me and my friends to join his crew, but, I had to turn him down because I knew Hammond and his thugs would cause more trouble again and again."

"That's for sure, that Hammond jerk has it in for us," Lisanna commented.

"That stupid jerk is going to pay for what he did!" Natsu and Happy yelled in unison.

"Snort...snort...snort...I don't like that jerk, Hammond." Temukai added.

"Anyway, I'm sorry about Ace, I wish I could've been there to help him, but, I had to believe Whitebeard and his allies could save but..." Aquapad lowered his head down. "I'm sorry Luffy."

Luffy shook his head. "We did what we could, don't worry about."

Aquapad smiled and tears in his eyes. "Thank you."

"Anyway, Camie, do you mind if you show us around?" Usopp asked.

"Right, also, we got your clothes too," Camie said.

The five little mermaids brought the clothes that belonged to the pirates.

A short time later.

"Take us up Turtle-chin," Camie requested the unusual sea turtle.

"That's a sea turtle!" Natsu and Happy exclaimed.

"Yeah, it's also known as the Sea Turtle Elevator,"

"That might be bad for Natsu," Happy thought knowing his companion's motion sickness.

However, as soon as they got on the turtle, Natsu wasn't showing signs of any sickness. "So, this is what it feels like to be an elevator!"

"He must consider the turtle a friend," Happy guessed, then again it was no surprise since he never had any trouble when he was carrying Natsu while flying.

"What kind of area is this?" Lisanna asked noticing the strange buildings in the area.

"Oh, this is the underwater coral apartment building," Camie answered. "I'm in the lower part because the rent is cheaper."

"If only Lucy could find a cheaper place like this," Natsu thought.

"I almost forgot, how is Hatchi doing lately?" Aquapad asked.

"Oh about that, he's living in the Fishman District, it's another part that's not too far away, but, he's recovering."

"What about Pappagg?" Luffy asked.

"He's become a fashion designer, so he lives in the big mansion in the most upmarket area of all, which is known as Gyovalley Hill, I usually go there to deliver his clams which I do today, we can go later to meet him and I'll even introduce your new friends,"

"That reminds me, where are the others?" Happy asked.

"That's right, the others should've been here by now?" Lisanna said hoping her siblings, as well as her friends, we're safe."

"Don't worry, I'm sure they'll turn up, besides, they're our friends and they can survive," Natsu grinned.

Lisanna nodded and smiled. "Right."

As soon as they got up, they saw huge water like straws. "What are those straw things?" Usopp asked a little confused.

"Those are water roads constructed by our top bubble engineers, both the fish and resident use them to get around... here let me show you," Camie swam out of the turtle's bubble and went into the straw.

Camie appeared above while still in the water road. "Hi guys, I'm swimming in the air!"

"That is awesome!" Happy said looking excited.

"Let me try," Lisanna transformed into her mermaid form.

Luffy was surprised. "Lisanna is a mermaid!?"

"Yeah, she showed us her power on Sabaody," Usopp answered.

Sanji was lovestruck. "Wow, Lisanna's mermaid form."

"Hey! Camie!" A female voice called.

"Ah! I hear a girl's voice!" Sanji said searching for the voice and then he looked at a coral reef.

"Are these your pirate friends, I guess, that means they didn't drown after all, and Aquapad, you have returned, that's great." Ishilly Striped Beaked Mermaid

"You didn't come into the entrance like you were supposed to, so, we were concerned,"

Hiramera Olive Flounder Mermaid

"Well, hi there, you guys aren't scary as I thought you'd be,"

Mero Blue striped Angelfish Mermaid

"That's hot, I have a thing for pirates,"

Seira Bluestriped Angelfish Mermaid

"They even have a cute kitty and buffalo mink and a human that can turn into a mermaid, that's quite awesome."

Fillonce

A mermaid.

Usopp was amazed. "Wow, a coral reef filled with Mermaids!"

Aquapad waved at the mermaids. "Hey ladies, I'm glad to be back."

Natsu smiled. "Nice to meet you all, right, Happy?"

"Aye sir," The blue exceed said with a smile.

"Whoa, the kitty talks!" A mermaid exclaimed in surprise.

Temukai bowed in respect. "Snort...snort...nice to meet you, mermaids."

Sanji was bawling his eyes out. "WAAAAHHHH!"

"Sanji's burst out crying!" Chopper exclaimed.

"What's with him, he hasn't cried this much since he left the Baratie..." Luffy wondered in confusion.

"This is it!" Sanji bellowed. "I found the all blue!"

"Really?" Usopp questioned quietly.

Camie eventually gave the introductions.

M

Another part of Fishman Island.

Gajeel, Lily, Levy, Tigress, and Chelsea were walking through the area.

"Crap, where are the others?" Chelsea cursed.

"Gajeel, Tigress, can you two smell anyone around?" Levy asked.

The black-haired man shook his head. "No, I ain't smelling any of our friends yet,"

"I can't either, our friend's scent doesn't last long, they must be somewhere else on the island," Tigress added.

"They must be somewhere else on the island," Lily guessed. "If that's the case, then, we must continue."

At the Fishman District

Noah(giant ship)

Hody Jones along with Aquaus were informed of the arrival of the Straw Hat and Fairy Tail wizards.

"Is that so, Straw Hat has finally arrived,"

"It's about time, those foolish Fairy Tail wizards were making me lose my patience,"

Hammond was a little nervous. "Uhh... so, what is our next move boss?"

"Bring them here and continue looking for any of the others too," Hordy and Aquaus replied together.

In the Fishman's Island's water.

The strange figure was swimming his way to Mermaid Cove. "Howl..." He howled. "I can't wait to meet this Straw Hat and get some information about his story with the Celestial Dragon." He was wearing a camera around his neck, then a goofy perverted smile appeared on his face.

"Mermaids, I hope we can spend some time together,"

After escaping the New Fishman Pirates, Luffy along with some of his crew members, three Fairy Tail wizards, Temukai the Water Buffalo Mink, and Aquapad were found by Camie, after getting a tour of the underwater apartment. They arrive at a Mermaid Cove, however, Hody Jones and Aquaus order Hammond and his men to bring the humans and their friends to them, who is the mysterious wolf creature, find out next time.

Luffy: On the next chapter: Mermaid Cove Battle

PS, if you all are wondering about the lacrima that Fairy Tail had in their ship's engine and how they found it, that detail will come in due time.

End of chapter.